The weeklong Indra Jatra precedes months of other festivals in the predominantly Hindu nation. The festival season in Nepal falls around September and October. The festivals in 2020 were scaled down after the government imposed restrictions to curb a surge in coronavirus cases. The Indra Jatra festival marks the end of monsoon rains and the beginning of autumn. Officials, priests, religious leaders and organizers held several meetings before deciding to go ahead with the public festival.

Source: ABC News September 19, 2021 12:33 UTC